Projectile

ABSTRACT

A non-discarding sabot projectile consists of a projectile core; a lower core casing for insertion into a bore of a muzzleloader firearm; and an upper core cap fastly engaged with the lower core casing. Such an engagement between the upper core cap and the lower core casing defines a jacket so that, upon assembly of the lower core casing and upper core cap, the projectile core is encapsulated within the jacket.

THIS INVENTION relates to a projectile. More particularly, the invention relates to a non-discarding sabot projectile and a method of manufacturing such a non-discarding sabot projectile.

The invention is expected to be particularly advantageously applicable to muzzle loading firearms, i.e. a gun that is loaded through its muzzle. Accordingly, such applications should particularly, but not exclusively, be borne in mind when considering this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A sabot is used in a firearm to fire a projectile, for example a bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter for holding the projectile in a precise position. A strong seal is required to trap propellant gases behind the projectile and keep the projectile centred in the barrel of the firearm. A sabot fills the undesirable, but necessary, gap between the projectile and barrel. When the projectile is fired, the sabot blocks the gas and carries the projectile down the barrel. Upon reaching the end of the barrel, the shock of hitting still air pulls the parts of the sabot away from the projectile thereby allowing the projectile to continue in flight. These projectiles may generally have an open-ended cup wherein the core of the bullet is received such that the leading edge of the core of the bullet remains exposed. Also, these projectiles present an uneven sidewall of the combined sabot and core where the cup engages with the core.

Thus, in this specification, the term sabot refers to a device which ensures the correct positioning of a projectile in the barrel of a firearm, attached either to the projectile or inside the barrel, and falling away as it leaves the muzzle upon firing of the firearm.

Traditionally, the term sabot invokes an impression of a projectile casing which separates from the projectile upon the projectile exiting the muzzle of the firearm. It should be noted that in this specification, the term “non-discarding sabot” means a sabot-type casing that is not discarded and hence does not separate from the core of the projectile upon firing of the gun, or in flight.

The inventor is aware of saboted projectiles that have external ridges or interlocking edges for muzzle loading firearms. The ridges may assist in convenient loading of a muzzle loading projectile, whilst providing enough contact with the inside of the barrel to capture exploding gasses and prevent blow-by. Thus, the ridges of such saboted projectiles are seated in the bore in front of the power charge and may ensure less friction between the sabot and the bore during loading to assist in loading when the bore has been fouled by earlier shooting. It should, however, be appreciated that the sabot separates from the projectile core subsequent to exiting the bore and that such separation may negatively impacts on the flight path of the projectile.

The present invention provides a non-discarding sabot projectile having an even, smooth side profile to overcome potential interruption in the flight path created by the discarding sabot projectile, as well as overcoming possible unwanted flight path deviation caused in non-discarding sabot projectiles by the possible uneven meeting of the cup of the sabot and the leading, protruding edge of the core of the bullet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, and in accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a jacketed, non-discarding sabot projectile of which the core is encapsulated by a non-discarding sabot which may comprise at least any one or more of horizontally or vertically fitted halves or parts.

More particularly and in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-discarding sabot projectile which includes:

-   a projectile core; -   a lower core casing for insertion into a bore of a muzzleloader     firearm; and -   an upper core cap fastly engaged with the lower core casing to     define a jacket such that, upon assembly of the lower core casing     and upper core cap, the projectile core is encapsulated within the     jacket.

The lower core casing may include a base having a side wall projecting upwardly from the base and terminating in a free end of the side wall.

The upper core cap may include a downwardly projecting side wall.

To this end, the downwardly projecting side wall of the cap may include a recessed protrusion defining an outer flange of the downwardly projecting side wall onto which the free end of the side wall of the casing may be seated. The free end of the side wall of the casing may thus define a seat onto which the cap may be seated.

The non-discarding sabot projectile may include complimentary interlocking engagement formations provided between the recessed downward protrusion of the cap and the side wall of the core casing. To this end, the downward protrusion of the cap may include at least one circumferential ridge and the side wall of the core casing may include at least one complimentary slot such that, upon assembly of the cap and the casing, the cap is slideably and snugly interlocked with the casing. Naturally, the at least one slot may be provided in the downward protrusion of the cap and the circumferential ridge provided in the sidewall of the core casing. It should be noted, particularly, that the snug fit of the cap onto the casing provides a smooth outer joint between the cap and the casing. In one embodiment of the invention, the interlocking formations may include any one of a barbed hook formation and a screw threaded formation assembly.

The assembled non-discarding, jacketed projectile thus has a smooth outer appearance of near-unitary construction.

The non-discarding, jacketed projectile may include at least one seal extending from the base of the casing. In a preferred embodiment, the seal may extend circumferentially about the base of the casing.

The cap of the non-discarding, jacketed projectile may include an applanated top. The top has an end shape selected from any one of sharp, round, rounded and oval.

The sidewall of the lower core casing may be tapered to enable insertion of the projectile into the bore of the muzzleloader. Thus, in use, the projectile may be inserted into the bore of a muzzleloader firearm. In a preferred embodiment, the taper may extend from the interlocking formations to the base of the casing or higher to the top. The side wall of the lower core casing may also be cylindrical.

According to other embodiments of the invention, the projectile core may, advantageously, be filled with any one or more of lead, tungsten, metal, iron, brass, shot, ceramic and fluid. To this end, the core may comprise granules of any one or more of the latter.

The non-discarding sabot projectile may include a plurality of external longitudinally extending ribs to aid in ejection of the sabot from the bore by reducing friction between the side wall of the casing and the bore of the muzzleloader.

Advantageously, the caps of like projectiles may be colour-coded to distinguish their contents for different firing applications. Likewise, the casings of like projectiles may be colour-coded or transparent to distinguish them for different firing applications or to identify the various fillings.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a non-discarding sabot projectile which includes:

-   inserting a projectile core into a casing as hereinbefore described;     and -   encapsulating the projectile core by fitting a cap or cap halves or     cap parts as hereinbefore described over the projectile core.

The method may include assembling the recessed downward projection of the cap onto the seat of the casing defined by the free end of the side wall of the casing and press-fitting the cap to the casing by slideably engaging the projecting knobs of the cap into register with the indentations in the walls of the casing.

The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a side sectioned view of a non-discarding sabot projectile in accordance with one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows side and three-dimensional views of the non-discarding sabot projectile in accordance with the same aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates, schematically, various embodiments of non-discarding sabot projectile according to another aspect of the invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes, generally, a non-discarding sabot projectile according to one embodiment of the invention. Generally, the projectile has a projectile core 12, a lower core casing 14.1 for insertion into a bore of a muzzleloader firearm (not shown), and an upper core cap 14.2 fastly engaged with the lower core casing 14.1 to define a jacket 14.2 such that, upon assembly of the lower core casing 14.1 and upper core cap 14.2, the projectile core 12 is encapsulated within the jacket 14.2.

The lower core casing 14.1 has a base 18 and a side wall 18.1 and 18.2 projecting upwardly from the base 18 and terminating in a free end 19.1 and 19.2 of the side wall 18.1 and 18.2 respectively.

The upper core cap 14.2 is plannated at 22 and has a downwardly projecting side wall 24 and 26 surrounding the core cap 14.2. The downwardly projecting side wall 24 and 26 of the cap 14.2 have a recessed protrusion 28 and 30 defining an outer flange 32 and 34 of the downwardly projecting side wall 24 and 26 onto which the free end of the side wall of the casing 14.1 are seated. The free end 19.1 and 19.2 of the side wall 18.1 and 18.2 of the casing 14.1 thus define seats onto which the cap 14.2 is seated.

The non-discarding sabot projectile 10 has a complimentary interlocking engagement formation 36 and 38 provided between the recessed downward protrusion 28 and 30 of the cap 14.2 and the side walls 18.1 and 18.2 of the core casing 14.1 and 14.2. To this end, the downward protrusions 28 and 30 of the cap 14.2 has a circumferential ridge 36 and 38 and the side wall 18.1 and 18.2 of the core casing 14.1 and 14.2 has complimentary indentations at 36 and 38 such that, upon assembly of the cap 14.2 and the casing 14.1, the cap 14.2 is slideably and snugly interlocked with the casing 14.1.

The assembled non-discarding sabot projectile 10 in FIG. 1 thus has a smooth appearance of near-unitary construction.

The non-discarding, jacketed projectile 10 has a seal 40 extending from the base 18 of the casing 14.1 which extends circumferentially about the base 18 of the casing 14.1, as will become more apparent with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings. Although not visually apparent from the drawings, the side wall 18 is tapered to enable insertion of the projectile 10 into the bore of a muzzleloader (not shown). Thus, in use, the projectile 10 may be inserted into the bore of a muzzleloader firearm. The side wall may also be cylindrical.

With reference to FIG. 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 50 shows a side view of the non-discarding projectile 10 of FIG. 1. In the figure, the projectile 50 has a plurality of visible, external longitudinally extending ribs generally denoted by numeral 52. Numeral 54 shows an enlarged portion of the ribbing 52 of the projectile 50. For illustrative purposes, numeral 56 shows an unfilled projectile, i.e. without a core with the cap 14.2 and casing 14.1 clearly shown. Conversely, numeral 58 denotes a filled projectile having a core 57. In this particular embodiment, the core is of a lead material having an ideal mass of 415 grain (gr). The cap and casing are manufactured of a plastic material, particularly polypropylene, the cap 14.2 having a mass of 4 gr and the casing 14.1 having mass of 12 gr. The combined mass of the projectile is 16 gr and the core volume is approximately 2283 mm³.

Turning now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, numerals 80 through 98 show various alternative embodiments of the non-discarding sabot projectile of FIGS. 1 and 2. Numeral 80 denotes a projectile of which the core is lead-filled. In 82, the core is a combination of lead and tungsten with a tungsten tip of 6×6 mm. In 84, a round metal tip of 6 mm is provided in a lead core, whilst 86 includes three metal balls of 6 mm diameter submerged in the lead core. A plurality of 2 mm diameter metal balls are dispersed in the lead core of 88. Turning to 90, an elongate solid tungsten body is embedded in the lead core. 92 presents a solid tungsten core of approximately 450 gr, 94 a solid lead core of approximately 415 gr, 96 a solid iron core of approximately 220 gr and 98 shows a core of metal or alloys including tungsten, lead, copper, brass, iron, tin, shot, zinc, as well as liquid and the like. 

1-32. (canceled)
 33. A non-discarding sabot projectile which includes: a projectile core; a lower core casing for insertion into a bore of a muzzleloader firearm; and an upper core cap fastly engaged with the lower core casing to define a jacket such that, upon assembly of the lower core casing and upper core cap, the projectile core is encapsulated within the jacket.
 34. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which the lower core casing includes a base having a side wall projecting upwardly from the base and terminating in a free end of the side wall.
 35. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which the upper core cap includes a downwardly projecting sidewall.
 36. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 35 in which the downwardly projecting side wall of the cap includes a recessed protrusion defining an inner flange of the downwardly projecting side wall onto which the free end of the side wall of the casing is seated.
 37. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 36, which includes complimentary interlocking engagement formations provided between the recessed downward protrusion of the cap and the side wall of the core casing.
 38. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 37 in which the interlocking formations include either a barbed hook formation assembly or a screw threaded formation assembly.
 39. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 36 in which the downward protrusion of the cap includes at least one circumferential ridge on the downward protrusion of the cap and the sidewall of the core casing includes at least one complimentary slot such that, upon assembly of the cap and the casing, the cap is slideably and snugly interlocked with the casing.
 40. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 39 in which the snug fit of the cap onto the casing provides a smooth outer joint between the cap and the casing to provide either a smooth outer appearance of near-unitary construction or a ribbed outer appearance of near-unitary construction.
 41. A non-discarding, sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 includes at least one seal extending circumferentially about the base of the casing.
 42. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 of which the top has an end shape selected from any one of a sharp-, a round-, a rounded- an oval- or an applanated shape.
 43. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 34 in which the side wall of the lower core casing is tapered from the interlocking formations to the base of the casing to enable insertion of the projectile into the bore of the muzzleloader.
 44. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 43 in which the taper extends from the interlocking formations to the base of the casing.
 45. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which the projectile core is filled with any one or more of lead, tungsten, metal, iron, brass, shot, ceramic and fluid.
 46. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which the core comprises granules of any one or more of lead, tungsten, metal, iron, brass, shot, ceramic, and fluid.
 47. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which any one of the caps or the casing of like projectiles are colour-coded to distinguish their contents for different firing applications.
 48. A non-discarding sabot projectile as claimed in claim 33 in which any one of the caps or the casing of like projectiles are transparent to identify various fillings.
 49. A method of manufacturing a non-discarding sabot projectile which includes: inserting a projectile core into a casing as claimed in claim 33; and encapsulating the projectile core by fitting a cap as claimed in claim 33 over the projectile core.
 50. A method as claimed in claim 49, which includes assembling the recessed downward projection of the cap onto the seat of the casing defined by the free end of the side wall of the casing and press-fitting the cap to the casing by slideably engaging the at least one projecting ridge of the cap into register with the slot in the wall of the casing. 